More than 20,000 spectators are expected to flood into the Ricoh Arena for Wasps' final home game of the season against Northampton Saints on Sunday.

Hopes of a home play-off semi-final are hanging by a thread with Saracens boasting a six-point lead with two games remaining.

But Wasps could book their place in the knock-out phase of the Aviva Premiership season if they defeat the Saints and other results go their way.

The match – dubbed as the “Big Sting” - could also be the last chance to see home-grown Wasps Danny Cipriani and James Haskell perform at the Ricoh Arena before both players leave the club at the end of the season.

Read More

It will also be a chance for Wasps fans to bid farewell to Guy Thompson and 26-year-old Sam Jones, who has had to retire from the game due to a multiple leg and ankle injury.

Neal Coupland, Marketing Director for Wasps and the Ricoh Arena said “We’ve seen a surge in ticket sales over the last week as awareness spreads of just how big this game is for the club.

Wasps' Aviva Premiership home attendances this season

26,296 v Gloucester W 49-24, December 2017

23,274 v Northampton Saints W 36-29, April 2018

22,148 v Leicester Tigers W 32-25, December 2017

17,677 v Saracens L 15-38, January 2018

16,924 v Exeter Chiefs W 13-7, February 2018

16,374 v Worcester Warriors W 30-15, April 2018

16,073 v Newcastle Falcons W 40-10, November 2017

15,488 v Bath L 9-25, October 2017

15,308 v Harlequins L 21-24, September 2017

12,466 v London Irish W 24-16, March 2018

12,078 v Sale Sharks W 50-35, September 2017

“A bonus point victory on Sunday could be enough to secure a play-off spot, but if not, it would put us in a really strong position heading into the final game of the season at Newcastle, who are also fighting us for a play-off spot.

“It’s a golden opportunity to bid farewell to Danny Cipriani , James Haskell and Guy Thompson who have all been terrific servants to the club, and there is every chance that this will be their last game at the Ricoh Arena in Wasps colours.

James Haskell of Wasps.

“We will also say goodbye to Sam Jones, albeit sooner than we would have liked, and wish him all the best for the future.

“We are advising fans to allow extra time for their journey to the Ricoh Arena on match day. The Wasps Fan Village will be open from 12.30pm with a wide range of family activities on offer ahead of kick off.”

Read More

Latest Wasps stories

A range of transport options are on offer for the game including coach transport from a number of key locations via Zeelo ( https://zeelo.co/rides/wasps ) and shuttle buses from Coventry train station. West Midlands trains will also be operating services to and from the Ricoh Arena.

Kick off for Wasps’ final home Aviva Premiership fixture is 3pm with turnstiles opening at 1.30pm.